It’s a nightmare scenario: you made all the arrangements for an exciting vacation with friends or family, only to find out you’re being charged a bunch of unexpected fees. Or worse, you discover the bungalow you thought you’d be relaxing in was just an illusion.

When travel is booming, vacation scams rise, too. The good news: you can avoid getting caught up in a scam by learning some of the tell-tale signs of a fraudster and a few security tips.

For starters, keep these baseline tips at the ready:

• If it's too good to be true, it probably is.
• Watch out for irreversible payment requests like wire or crypto.
• Search for a company's website on your own, not using the address they gave you.
• Don't be rushed to act or give up personal information.

To further dive in, here’s how to get exactly what you expect when you book your next getaway.

1) Beware of free or cheap vacations

You’re offered a fantastic vacation package at a surprisingly low price—or even a free vacation. Score! What could be better? There’s just one catch: You must reserve your spot right away.

As tempting as it is to snag that one-of-a-kind deal, step back and research the company and its offer before acting. Experts say high-pressure sales pitches are one of the trademarks of a tourist scam. Chances are if you respond to these bargain or free vacations, you'll quickly learn there's still a price—such as resort fees or taxes—and suddenly your "free" vacation is anything but.

A legitimate company won't ask you to pay for a free vacation or pressure you. Fraudsters will. The truth is, they don’t want you to research the offer because they know it’s a vacation scam. Even if you find a package from a company that seems trustworthy, take your time, and read the contract carefully.

Also, watch out for robocall vacation deals—another way scammers are marketing fraudulent vacation offers! Remember, if companies don't have your written permission to contact you this way, they're already breaking the law. It's likely a robocall scam or at the very least, not a company you want to do business with.

2) Research trusted sources and company reviews

When it comes to vacation planning, book directly from reputable sources and even then, do your homework. Get recommendations from family and friends or other trusted sources about good travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels and travel packages. As you explore your options, read trusted company reviews.

If you prefer to go through a travel agent or travel-shopping site, use caution. Travel agencies can also be scams or flat out pricier. The Better Business Bureau suggests you seek out travel agent referrals from people you trust so you know you’re in good hands.

Travel-shopping sites, on the other hand, might make you believe they’re making reservations directly through an airline or hotel. While in reality, they’re simply middlemen who may charge hidden fees or fumble your reservation.

To steer clear of trouble, call the provider directly or visit their official website. You can even go a step further, by verifying your reservation with the airline or hotel prior to your vacation.

3) Use the internet and vacation apps to your advantage

Online travel planning can help you save and avoid scams. Comparison websites and vacation apps allow you to lay out options and make smart decisions. Travel sites and vacation apps can also help you get hotel rates and airfares, real-time and reliable deals, and fare alerts. Be sure to find out whether you’re buying from a third party (travel site/vacation app) or the actual airline, hotel, etc. Who you are booking through can impact refund policies, travel points, change/cancellation fees and so forth. Also, confirm whether you're buying an actual ticket or simply making a reservation.

Using the internet is also a good way to avoid fraud, unexpected costs and dreadful travel experiences. Look up "hotels," "rentals," "travel agents," etc., with words like “scam,” “review” and “complaint" to look for red flags and see what others have to say before confirming travel.

Think you’re caught up in an online fraud? Report it by contacting your local police department and visit our Security Center to learn what other steps you should take to get back on track.

4) Know how to spot vacation rental scams

A rental property may look picturesque and have all the amenities you need—but how do you know what you see is what you get? Before booking your stay online, make sure you’re getting the real deal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that fraudulent websites steal photos and information from actual rental listings. Others advertise premium vacation properties for super cheap prices or create fabricated listings altogether. You may not find out until you arrive at the destination and by then, your money is likely gone.

To help protect yourself from vacation rental scams, only shop on reputable travel sites. More tips?

• Beware that below-market rent can be a sign of a scam.
• Check that the address of the property truly exists.
• If the property is within a resort, call the front desk and confirm location and other details in your contract.
• Walk away from any listings that require you to pay with wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Those sources are harder to trace, which makes them favored payment methods for scammers.

5) Book your vacation using a payment method with fraud protection

Any time you pay for a flight or a rental property, industry experts recommend using your credit card. Cash and wired bank funds are notoriously hard to track down if they fall into the wrong hands. Requests for payment in the form of cryptocurrency or gift cards are also signs of a vacation scam. Card issuers, on the other hand, often provide credit card fraud protection and may be able to reverse bogus charges. In addition to how you pay, be careful about when you pay. Don’t sign a vacation contract or pay until you know the terms of the deal and have a copy of the refund and cancellations policies. If you can’t get those details, walk away.

6) Watch out for travel insurance scams

The next time you book a vacation, you may come across a travel insurance provider offering you extra protection against unexpected cancellations or interruptions. The only problem: that perk doesn’t exist with most standard policies. For that, you generally need something called “cancel for any reason” coverage. It typically costs about 50% more than a base package but may be money well spent. To avoid a travel insurance scam, make sure you buy coverage from a licensed and trusted travel insurance company—and remember to read the fine print.

7) Look out for passport and travel document scams

If you haven’t traveled abroad in a while, you may need to apply for or renew your passport or get other documents before your trip. Just make sure you complete your documents on the actual State Department site—not a fake website designed to look like the real thing—to avoid passport scams. The FTC warns that these copycat webpages often charge higher fees or ask you to pay for services that should be free.

So, the next time you’re vacation planning, simply remember to do your research, stay informed and play it safe. Bon voyage!

How to report fraud and identity theft to TD Bank

If you think your TD accounts or cards have been compromised, visit our Security Center to learn how to report the fraud and contact us for help right away.

• Lock your credit and debit cards
• Report a lost or stolen card:
  • TD Bank ATM or Visa® Debit Card: 1-888-751-9000
  • TD Bank Visa® Credit Card: 1-888-561-8861
• Report identity theft or a phishing attempt: 1-800-893-8554
• Forward suspicious emails to: Phishing@TD.com
• Contact your local police department or call The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): 1-877-382-4357
• Report fraud to the credit bureaus:
  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289